Legislation - HB0701

Title: Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026)
Sponsored by: Delegates Hill, Lehman, Terrasa, Wu, Lewis, and Odom
Status: In the Senate - First Reading Senate Rules
Analysis: Fiscal and Policy Note

Synopsis

Requiring the Department of Natural Resources in coordination with the Department of the Environment to identify certain vernal pools in the State; requiring the Department of Natural Resources to create and maintain a certain list of vernal pools in the State in a certain manner; and requiring the Department of the Environment to designate staff to receive training in vernal pool identification and to notify the Department of Natural Resources under certain circumstances.

Committees

Original:: Environment and Transportation Click to view Recorded Media

Opposite:: Rules

Committee Testimony

Witness List

Details

Cross-filed with: SB0523

Bill File Type: Regular

Effective Date(s): October 1, 2026

History

Legislation History
Chamber House Calendar Date 2/02/2026 Legislative Date 2/02/2026 Action First Reading Environment and Transportation Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - First - Department of the Environment - Water Resources - Protection of Vernal Pools (Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026) Proceedings
Chamber House Calendar Date 2/04/2026 Legislative Date 2/04/2026 Action Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m. Proceedings
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Vote - House - Committee - Environment and Transportation Proceedings Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/08/2026 Legislative Date 4/08/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation Proceedings
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Favorable with Amendments {693524/1 Adopted Proceedings 60 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Second Reading Passed with Amendments Proceedings 60 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Calendar Date Legislative Date Action Text - Third - Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026) Proceedings
Chamber House Calendar Date 4/09/2026 Legislative Date 3/24/2026 Action Third Reading Passed (95-38) Proceedings 61 Click to view Recorded Media
Chamber Senate Calendar Date 4/10/2026 Legislative Date 3/23/2026 Action Referred Rules Proceedings 62 Click to view Recorded Media

Chamber	Calendar Date	Legislative Date	Action	Proceedings
House	2/02/2026	2/02/2026	First Reading Environment and Transportation
			Text - First - Department of the Environment - Water Resources - Protection of Vernal Pools (Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026)
House	2/04/2026	2/04/2026	Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
			Vote - House - Committee - Environment and Transportation	Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/08/2026	4/08/2026	Favorable with Amendments Report by Environment and Transportation
House	4/09/2026	3/23/2026	Favorable with Amendments {693524/1 Adopted	60 Click to view Recorded Media
House	4/09/2026	3/23/2026	Second Reading Passed with Amendments	60 Click to view Recorded Media
			Text - Third - Department of Natural Resources - Water Resources - Identification of Vernal Pools (Jack Cover Vernal Pool Wetlands Protection Act of 2026)
House	4/09/2026	3/24/2026	Third Reading Passed (95-38)	61 Click to view Recorded Media
Senate	4/10/2026	3/23/2026	Referred Rules	62 Click to view Recorded Media

File Code

Subjects

Statutes